Hampton Bays Businessman Jailed For Violating Rental Code: Supe

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A Hampton Bays real estate agent and property manager has been incarcerated for renting out homes in Southampton Town without valid town rental permits, town officials said.

Robert A. Mazzone was convicted by a jury on June 20 of violating the town’s rental law, which says that no person shall occupy or otherwise use a dwelling unit as a rental property without a valid rental permit, a release from Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman's office said.

This week, he was sent to jail for 60 days for violating the town code, Schneiderman's office said. He was also ordered to pay more than $22,000 in fines, the release said.

For many years, Mazzone has maintained an office at Hampton Sales and Rentals Corp, located at 63A East Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays, the release said.

Southampton Town maintained that Mazzone acted as an agent/property manager for a number of single family homes, subjecting residents to substandard living conditions, and refusing to comply with the town’s rental law, which is in place to ensure that only homes that are safe are rented out to the public, town officials said.

The homes are located in Hampton Bays, East Quogue, Shinnecock Hills, North Sea, Tuckahoe, and Southampton Town, officials said.

Mazzone was the second person to be incarcerated in Southampton Town during the past two months for violating the town’s rental law, Schneiderman said.

“It is imperative that landlords understand the public safety reasons behind the rental law, and why it is so important that they comply with it. If they fail or refuse to do so, then they will face significant penalties. The Town of Southampton will continue to prosecute and to seek incarceration for those that choose to place people in unsafe conditions for a profit," Southampton Town Public Safety Administrator Steven Troyd said.

“I understand that there is some frustration at times on the part of the community when it comes to these kinds of violations of the town code,” Southampton Town Councilman Stan Glinka said. “But our code officers and our town attorney are diligent in their efforts. This result is evidence of their dedication and hard work, and our commitment to the safety of all residents and visitors in the town.”

Schneiderman also commented, “I trust that this will make others recognize that the town has no tolerance for unsafe illegal rentals. I wish to compliment our code enforcement investigative staff on a job well done."

For information on obtaining a rental permit before renting out a house, individuals are asked to contact the Southampton Town Division of Code Enforcement at (631) 702-1700.

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